Fired coach fires back at Bridgewater-Raynham

Sunday

Mar 4, 2012 at 12:01 AMMar 4, 2012 at 4:11 AM

Former head wrestling coach Jeff Francis, who was fired amid an investigation into hazing allegations, may sue the school, alleging he was made a “scapegoat.” The move comes after a month of discussions with the superintendent to try to get his job back.

Amy Carboneau

Former wrestling coach Jeff Francis, whose attorney sent a letter last week threatening a lawsuit against the Bridgewater-Raynham school district, had been in talks with the superintendent in an attempt to get his job back, School Committee Chairwoman Pat Riley said Friday.

“I know he wants to be reinstated,” Riley said. Francis was fired Jan. 13, amid hazing allegations on his team.

Since then, Francis said he and his attorney have been in touch with Superintendent Jacqueline Forbes, trying to find a way for him to return to the team he called his own for 25 years.

“We did a lot of talking,” Francis said. “Nothing came of it, or else I would have been back there already.”

Francis referred all other questions to his attorney, Paul Wynn of Wynn & Wynn in Raynham, who did not not return repeated phone calls.

After the allegations surfaced on Jan. 13 – the day Francis was fired – Forbes suspended the program, pending an investigation.

On Jan. 19, Forbes announced the investigation was complete, and the district has learned that when some wrestlers didn’t perform well, teammates would hit them with belts and broom handles.

Francis claims, in the letter Wynn sent to The Enterprise Monday, that he was not present when the “voluntary” “team-building” exercise took place, and told Athletic Director Dan Buron about it two days after he found out.

Also in the letter, Wynn alleges that Francis was made a “scapegoat” in the situation, while others high up in the district, who also were aware of the allegations, kept their jobs.

Francis also points a finger at the school for turning a blind eye to “blatant hazing” within the hockey and football programs, under the watch of Buron, who is also head football coach.

Riley said despite the letter threatening a lawsuit, she is still hopeful Francis and the School Department will be able to work things out before the matter goes to court.

“I can tell you the School Committee feels very badly about this whole situation because for many years, Jeff has been a well-respected coach,” Riley said. “And our hope was that he would be part of the solution.”

“I usually like to see if you can take a bad situation and get something positive out of it,” she added.

The bottom line, she added, is that the school has to have a no-tolerance policy when it comes to hazing, bullying or any violent behavior.

In response to Francis’ allegations of hazing being rampant on other team sports, Riley said at this point, it’s just hearsay.

“This is the one that came to our attention,” she said. “If any others come forward, we will absolutely investigate.”

No incidents may have surfaced, but parents interviewed throughout the week say they’ve heard stories, though none recent.

Erika Dacey of Raynham said she heard hazing has gone on “for years and years.”

“It’s definitely a good thing the school came down on everyone involved,” Dacey said. “All parties, as far as I’m concerned, should be held accountable.”

“When I first moved here seven or eight years ago,” said Kathy Ierado of Raynham, “I knew then there was that problem.”

Ierado said she’s heard plenty of stories of girls fighting, and bullying among the students.

“It’s just so sad,” she said. “When I went to school ... students had pride in their school.”

Jeff Wood lives in Bridgewater and cares for his niece, a soccer player at B-R. As for Francis being a scapegoat, Wood said, “He probably was.”

At the same time, Wood said he would have to yield to the school’s decision.

“I have to believe the superintendent and the school (officials) are reasonable people, and made the decision based on what facts they had on hand.”

Those facts have yet to come out, with Forbes citing it all falls under “personnel” and cannot be talked about.

Meanwhile, a police investigation hangs over the school.

Amy Carboneau may be reached at acarboneau@enterprisenews.com, or follow her on Twitter @amycarboneau.

Get Involved

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Dedham Transcript ~ 254 Second Ave., Needham, Massachusetts 02494 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service